Supermarkets can show leadership in helping to solve the obesity epidemic
4 min read
A new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on A Fit and Healthy Childhood champions a new role for the supermarket in the fight to tackle obesity.
Introducing their 15th report recently, titled: 'Healthy Families: The Present and Future Role of the Supermarket,' APPG Chair, Steve McCabe MP said: "Supermarkets are often seen as the pantomime villain in a national battle against obesity and attendant non- communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
"The charge list includes nudging shoppers into unhealthy purchases to get cash tills ringing, perpetuating an obesogenic environment at odds with Government healthy eating guidelines and fuelling 'pester power' at the expense of cash-strapped families.
"We show that supermarkets can show leadership in helping to solve the obesity epidemic. They have a unique place in the hearts of UK families and it's time for them to step up in the 21st century cause of safeguarding the health of the population and the planet," he continued.
The Report was sponsored by Slimming World, Jenny Caven, Director of External Affairs at the organisation said: "We welcome this Report; in particular, the examples showing that some supermarkets are actively helping people to make healthy food and drink an accessible choice. We welcome all initiatives that promote and support healthier choices.
"However, the Report doesn't flinch from saying that supermarkets must raise their game," continued Ms Caven.
In 2019 research, the 'Health on the Shelf' report, published by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Slimming World, exposed the marketing tactics used to drive sales of unhealthy products. It revealed that supermarket layout, pricing strategies and shopping environment is helping to fuel the obesity epidemic.
"Our report also revealed that over one third (36%) of shoppers reported that they impulse purchase unhealthy products because they are on special offer, and one in five say supermarkets cause them to go off track when attempting to lose weight.
"This new APPG Report shows that this need not be the end of the story and that better and healthier trading could be both beneficial for our national health and profitable in the long term," continued Ms Caven.
Recommendations
Key recommendations of the APPG's report include getting supermarkets to re-balance promotions away from products that are high in fat, sugar and /or salt (HFSS) to healthier foods so that families experiencing food poverty may enjoy greater access to them.
The report also recommends that price discounts and promotions to be offered on healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables while promotions on HFSS food should be restricted as well as using supermarket logos/leaflets to promote healthy eating.
The APPG call on supermarkets to control the criteria for child eye-level in the placing of products and offer promotions on healthier, culturally-appropriate products to engage people from ethnic minority groups.
Healthy, affordable snacks, ideally that appeal to low income consumers should be represented either by stocking 'own brand' products or offering support to smaller businesses who already provide healthier snacks and are looking to break into this market, they recommend.
The Report's lead author, Helen Clark, emphasised the role of Government. She said: "The Government must work with leading supermarkets to provide advice in-store on how to consume a diet that is consistent with the 'Eatwell Guide' in a low-income environment.
"Policy-makers should also provide more information via health and education campaigns about the psychology of shopping and the importance to the family of meal planning," she continued.
Ms Clark recommended that the Government should consider the application of legislative controls (with built-in review process) on price and multi-buy promotions as a significant proportion of HFSS food and drink is bought on temporary price reduction.
"Any mechanism to reduce the purchase of unhealthy food and drink on this type of offer has potential for significant gains in tackling obesity," she said.
"It is the Government's duty to ensure that all households can thrive as well as survive and policies must ultimately be directed to making healthy food less expensive than unhealthy food for the benefit of all families - and supermarket shoppers - in the UK," she concluded.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
